Anticoncussion helmet



Aug. 1, 1944. E SELETZ Y 4 2,354,840

ANTICONCUSS IN HELMET Filed May 5, 1942 Patented Aug. 1, 1944 UNITEDgsmi-EsH PATE'N'I(o1-FICE` 2,354,840* y y 'Y ANTIConCUssIoNY HELMET EmilSeletz, Los Angeles, Calif. v Application May 5, 1942, Aserial NanniesH'Z'Claima (Cl. 2 6) My invention relates to a head protective device inthe nature of a helmet especially designed forthe prevention of brainconcussions due to shell' shock, the heavy blasts of artillery and theguns on battleships and in forts, or in building and blasting operationswhich develop extreme noises.

Shell shock is not apsyc'honeurosis'but rather blast concussion of thebrain produced `by conduction vibration through the skull.` This isconrined by the fact that in fatal cases, punctuate hemorrhages may befound post mortem, not only in the meninges but even throughout thebrain substance.. Blast concussion may also produce nerve deafness, withor without injury to the ear drum, in the same manner that anesthesia isproduced in the lingers of laborers as the result of the vibrationdeveloped by continued iuse of pneumatic hammers and like tools. .Y

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide arelatively simple, practical and inexpensive sound proof helmet whichwill be highly effective in preventing blast vibrations and the likefrom reaching the brain, and the helmet according to my invention, isconstructed so as to cover the entire calverium and extends in front,downwardly over the forehead to the eye brows, the sides covering theears, and at the rear, extending downwardly over the neck so as toafford a substantial degree of protection to the soft tissues and greatvessels therein.

Further objects of my invention are to construct a concussion protectivehelmet composed of hard plastic material with a vacuum chamber which, inaddition to rendering the helmet buoyant, effectively prevents thetransmission of vibrations incident to heavy blasts, also serving as anon-conductor of heat and cold, further, to provide the helmet with acushioning pad that lits directly against the head, neck and ears of thewearer so as to afford a maximum degree of comfort to the wearer, andfurther to combine with the helmet a small mask of flexible materialsuch as rubber or plastic, which fits over the nose and mouth and saidmask being provided with a screened opening which permits normalbreathing of the wearer, but effectually preventing an abnormal inrushof air through the nose and mouth to the inner ear.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists incertain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts whichwill be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is aperspective View of a helmet constructed in accordance withmy invention and' showing the-same in position upon a wearers head. Fig.2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. lwith the helmet re-`V moved from the head.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximatelyon the line3-3 of Fig. 1. l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section tak on the line 4--4 ofFig. 1.f l

Fig. 5 is a transversesection taken approxi; mately on the line 5-5 ofFig. 1. u; Fig; 6 is a vertical section similar" to Fig. 2 and showing amodified construction. e

Referring by numerals to the accompanying` drawing, which illustrates apreferred embodiment of my. invention, I0 and II designates respectivelythe outer and inner walls of the main body ofthe helmet, said wallsbeing spaced apart to form a chamber I2 from which the alr is exhaustedto produce a vacuum. This main body portion of the helmet issubstantially semi.- spherical in shape so as to entirely cover thevertex and the front portions I3 of the spaced walls are extendeddownward to a point just above the eye brows so as to afford coverageand protection to the wearers forehead. From the sides of the main bodyof the helmet, the spaced walls are extended downwardly as designated byI4 so as to cover and afford protection to the wearers ears and the rearportions of said walls are extended downwardly and curved outwardly asdesignated by I5 to cover and provide protection for the back of thewearers neck. The main body of the helmet as just described may becomposed of any strong, hard material, light weight and buoyant, forinstance, any of the plastics now in general use.

Suitably secured to the lower portion of the inner wall II of the helmetadjacent the lower edge thereof is a continuous pad I6 of suitablybuoyant cushioning material, for instance, treated ber, sponge rubber orthe like, and from the rear portions of the sides of this pad, taperedportions I 'l extend downwardly so as to entirely cover the ears of thewearer. These portions I'I decrease in width and thickness so as to formstraps I8 which pass beneath the wearers chin, and straps may beprovided with conventional fastening means, such as a buckle I9, or withthe complementary members of a snap fastener.

A small mask 20 composed of soft flexible material, such as rubber, isshaped so as to t snugly over the wearers nose and mouth, and formed inthe lower portion of this mask is a small opening 2I, in which is seateda fine mesh screen 22 of wire or the like. Thus, when the mask isapplied for use, the mouth and nasal openings are entirely covered butnormal breathing is permitted by the screened opening 2|, and at thesame time, such opening prevents any abnormal inrush of air as theresult of blasts or heavy explosions. This mask is secured to the sidesI'I of pad I6 by suitable straps 23, which pass across the wearerscheeks.

My improved helmet being composed of hard plastic material, or the like,affords a certain blasts, concussions or the like which, vin many 'vinstances result in' so-called shell-shock. con-ifV cussion of thebrain.

The helmet is light vin weight and being pro-` vided with a vacuumchamben, eifectually' prevents the transmission of Vibration to thewearersbrain,; and this protection is materially increased due to thefact that when the helmet is in proper position upon the head, asubstantial u space is provided between, the Vertexl and the helmet byreason of the cushoningpad I6 which extends entirely around the innersurface of the lower portion of the helmet. Further,- the vac` fore, itmay be readily observed for a considerable v distance by rescue partiesseeking persons swimming or oating on the surface of the water.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modified construction wherein a substantiallysemi-spherical shell 25 formed in a single piece from thin hard metal,is removably positioned on the upper outer portion of the outer wall IDof the helmet body and being detachably retained thereon by readilyreleasable fastening means 26, the latter being se- -cured to wall IIJ,preferably, on the front and rear of the helmet. This shell when removedprovides a receptacle which may be used for drinking purposes, as autensil for heating or cooking food, or for bailingwater from a smallboat.

Y Thus, it may be seen that I have provided an anti-'concussion helmetand mask which is relatively simplevin construction, inexpensive ofmanufacture and Very eifective in performing the functions for which itis intended.

It will be understoodthat minor changes in the size,v form andconstruction of the various parts of my improved helmet and mask may bemade and Y`substituted for. those herein shown and described withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is setforth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

JL-The combination with a substantially semi-` sphericalihelmet.providedin the greater portion of .its outer surface ywith a shallow recess, ofa 'cupv shaped. protective member of thin hard metal removably seated insaid shallow recess with the outer-.surface of said cup-shaped memberush with-the surface of the helmet outwardly from the recess therein.

.2- AThe combination. as set forth in claim 1 Aincluding readilyreleasable means for securing said protective memberto. said helmet. Y

Y EMIL SELETZ.

